Obituary: Rhoades

Penny Jo Rhoades, 60 of Chenoa died at 8:06am, Friday, October 17, 2025 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, October 25, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Fairbury with Pastor Daryl Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Chenoa Twp. Cemetery, Chenoa. 

Visitation will be 4 to 8 pm, Friday, October 24, 2025 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Osteosarcoma Research.

Penny was born April 21, 1965 in Champaign-Urbana; a daughter to Joseph Gale and Bonnie Lou (Sapp) Jay. She married Richard Rhoades on September 15, 1990 in Chenoa.  Rich and Penny met as young teens at Wildwood Campground, LeRoy; where their families camped on weekends.  Her husband Rich survives in Chenoa.

Other survivors include two sons, Aaron (Alicia) Rhoades of Chenoa; Bradley (Adriana) Rhoades of Fairbury; one sister, Gaila (Jack) Roberts of Bement; one brother, Joseph Gale Jay II of Champaign; five adored and spoiled grandchildren, Lucas Leclair, Layton, Madison Rhoades all of Chenoa; Ezra and Braxton Rhoades of Fairbury; and numerous close friends.

Her Parents, her in-laws, Arthur & Betty Rhoades; and one son Corey Rhoades preceded her in death.

Penny was a 1983 graduate of Mahomet-Seymour High School.  As a self-employed Daycare Provider for over 30 years, she had the privilege to see numerous children grow into adults. She was very active in various school booster fundraisers for her children. If you ever met Penny, you would never forget her; she had a great sense of humor and a sensitive heart that didn’t know too many strangers.  

Penny was actively involved in the Sunshine Club, Women’s Club and a Women’s Bible Study and a member of First Baptist Church of Fairbury.  Above all Penny Deeply loved spending time with her family that she loved deeply.  She would never pass up a chance to spoil and love on her grandchildren.